Just had the idea, had to draw it.

fun idea!

I don't get the relationship to computer hardware.

Buying refurbished is like buying used ice

How so? Suggesting that it is only slightly cheaper and completely useless?

Computer hardware is quite the opposite. Refurbished and used is way cheaper and just as good as new.

Refurbished doesn't mean anything, it's actually used. They invented the word to charge more for the same equipment. Your answer is performatively correct, but these companies themselves can't admit the word means anything. It's just performative. Hope that helps.

It means that they've double checked all is good, fixed any potential problems to make sure it's good as new, and sell it with the same warranties as a new device. Especially the final point creates a world of difference between buying refurbished versus second hand.

And buying second hand hardware is, of course, a great idea. Especially whenever it's repairable. Non-repairable hardware shouldn't be bought anyway, ideally.

Refurbished generally means it actually goes through a further round of QC than "new" hardware. And it's usually only "used" because someone bought it and returned it because there was something wrong, which was then fixed by the refurbishing process.

What's your source or inspiration for thinking this way? Are you suggesting that companies are labeling new, or possibly used-but-not-re-tested hardware as "refurbished" to drive sales? Because that's not anything I've heard of.

I asked.

Did you ask, or did you assume?

Who? What did they say?